Category Archives: Suspense

When a high-end escort is discovered murdered in her plush waterside apartment, so begins the hunt for a serial killer known as The Crucifier due to the unusual slaying and positioning of his victims. In parallel there remains the need to locate a dangerous and elusive doomsday cult.

DCI William Chamberlain and DI Judd Stone have an acute thirst for justice on both accounts.

Stone is an ex-football hooligan turned cop. Riddled with guilt and anger, he is used to getting results – albeit somewhat unconventionally.

Chamberlain suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, but curiously, as his health deteriorates, his ability to perform acts of telekinesis increases. When faced with life or death, Chamberlain progresses from manipulating physical matter to controlling minds and sets in motion a dramatic chain of events. But why do things spiral out of control, placing an unknown high-profile target in danger?

Assistance comes from the most unlikely of sources but who is also working against the wheels of justice?

And just what is the connection between The Crucifier, the cult and the high-profile target?

With Spaghetti Western overtones, the chase from Liverpool to London and through both Birmingham UK and Alabama, finds both detectives having to confront their darkest demons in pursuit of the sweet taste of revenge.

Review:

3.5 stars

This is an excellently written crime novel, but for me it was a little too over detailed (police procedure, so that was expected to a certain degree) and some points are explained more than once.

My main issue is that there are too many story arcs happening within the novel. We have the serial killer, a cult, and then the story with Marlon Howell. I understand why all are included, but at times the book felt a little too cluttered.

The characterisation is excellent and although there’s a large cast, I never once got any of them confused with one another. This is a testament to Tracey’s writing ability and I will certainly read more books by this author.

This injection of paranormal felt a little displaced for me, and I often found it jarring to read. However, all loose ends were tied up very well at the end of the book.

It was an excellent read, but at just over 500 pages, it felt like, at times, I had been reading for forever. Yet, I never once wanted to put it to one side. It was just a little too ‘busy’ to be able to read in one or two sittings.

The summer of 1889 was proving to be a strange one for Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner.

They had a sexual pervert loose. The man didn’t actually harm women but threatened them at knife point, fondling them, and ultimately stealing their stockings.

Far more serious were the murders of influential men, which appeared random other than they were all killed by arsenic poison. Never had he and his partner had cases with so little workable evidence.

Also, the rivalry between him and his detective nemesis at London’s other police department was intensifying. That nemesis was the boxing champion of their department and looking to challenge Rudyard, who never trained as a boxer.

Besides Rudyard’s pride being at stake, and the pride of his station, his nemesis also had in his possession a photograph of the woman Rudyard cares very much for. The new lady in Rudyard’s life had captured his heart and he’d fight the devil himself to save her reputation.

“What address do you show for the Cross family?” the Vicar asked. Her mind went completely blank. Finally, she blurted the only one that came to her, which was no doubt wrong. “Park Lane.”

The Vicar smirked. Not smiled. Smirked. That meant it had to be wrong.

“I suggest you start there. In the meantime, I will have my housekeeper escort you out. I don’t know what you’re playing at but I don’t care for mischief. You’ll do your soul a good turn to drop a coin in the poor box on your way to the street.” He rang a small bell on his desk and the housekeeper came. “See this lady out.”

Graciela stood on the top stair of the chapel cursing her luck when a man’s disturbingly familiar laugh interrupted her thoughts. She took a quick step to the left and flattened herself against one of the portico pillars. The horrible laugh rippled over from close by. It sounded like Detective Bloodstone’s from the morning she’d bailed out Addy. He’d said something that sent the shine boy scampering away and had all the detectives snickering, including Bloodstone.

Taking a deep breath, she peered around the edge of the pillar expecting to see the detective. His presence would’ve been the perfect end to this entire St. Jude’s Chapel mission-turned-catastrophe. To her great relief, it came from a carriage driver. She hadn’t noticed a group of them gathered at the corner waiting to be hired. Graciela, you had no reason to be frightened. You’d done nothing wrong. Stop being such a ninny.

She left the church and headed home. Zachary would be getting up from her nap soon. The whole way home she questioned her luck. A dozen people are murdered every day in London.

It is the time of Jack the Ripper, the widowed Queen Victoria sits on the throne of England. The whole of London is on edge wondering when or where Jack will kill next. The Palace, Parliament, and the press are demanding the police do more to find him.

In another part of London, rough-around-the-edges war hero, Metropolitan Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone has his own serial killer to find. Inter departmental rivalries, politics, and little evidence to go on hamper the investigation at every turn. In a battle of wills, Bloodstone presses forward following his instincts in spite of the obstacles.

Adding to those problems, away from the strains of the investigation, he is engaged in the ups and downs of a new relationship with a lovely hat maker.

Chris Karlsen is a retired police detective. She spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. The daughter of a history professor and a voracious reader, she grew up with a love of hisotry and books.

An internationally published author, Chris has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa satisfying her need to visit the places she read about. Having spent a great deal of time in England and Turkey, she has used her love of both places as settings for her books. “Heroes Live Forever,” which is her debut book, is set in England as is the sequel, “Journey in Time,” the third is “Knight Blindness.” They are part of her Knights in Time series. All three are available as a boxed set on Kindle. She is currently working on the fourth in the “Knights in Time,” series. “Golden Chariot,” is set in Turkey and the sequel, “Byzantine Gold” is set Turkey, Paris and Cyprus. They are part of her Dangerous Waters series.

Her most recent release is called, “Silk” and is book one of a new series, The Bloodstone Series. It is a suspense set in Victorian London.

Published by Books to Go Now, her novels are available in digital, ebook, and Android App. and in paperback. “Heroes Live Forever” is also in audio format.

A Chicago native, Chris has lived in Paris and Los Angeles and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four rescue dogs. A city girl all her life, living in a small village on a bay was a interesting adjustment. She’d never lived anywhere so quiet at night and traffic wasn’t bumper to bumper 24/7.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Review:

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, yet I didn’t love it.

I’d been meaning to read this book for a long time, but just never got round to it, then the show came on netflix.

The show broke me. As a parent, I am petrified of my kids (one of whom is 12 and in secondary school) not being open and honest with me about both the good and bad things in their lives. How can I help them if I don’t know what’s happening? In the show, Hannah’s parents (and Clay’s to a certain extent) are completely oblivious to what is going on with their kids beyond the small snippets they are fed, so Hannah’s suicide is a huge shock for all of them.

Watching Clay listen to the taps and slowly begin to lose his mind in guilt and uncertainty is heart breaking, almost as much as what Hannah suffered – in a weird way. This is a kid who never really did anything to anyone, got along with most people, and seemed to be a pretty likeable guy; yet here he is on a list of people Hannah blames.

In the book, Clay only takes a night to list to the tapes and the reader isn’t privvy to what is happening with parents or the others mentioned on the tapes. If I had read the book before the show, I don’t think that would have bothered me, but having seen how well the show rounded out these other characters mentioned in the book, reading felt a little 2 dimensional to me.

While Asher has dealt with such a touchy subject in a wonderfully sensitive way, he could have easily explored the repercussions more – the way the show did.

There are so many questions left to be answered it may leave the reader frustrated, but isn’t that the case when someone makes the choice of suicide? Aren’t those left behind plagued with questions, even if they know ‘why’?

13 lucky stories EXCLUSIVE to this boxset available for a LIMITED time! 13 tales of unimaginable luck – 13 fascinating novellas of love, loss, and mystery. From lotteries to sweepstakes, poker to roulette and horse racing to wishes, these 13 stories will make you wish you’d been the winner!

These 13 novellas are BRAND NEW and have never been published. Written by USA Today Bestselling, International, and Bestselling authors.

Haley Rosewood is overworked and underpaid and can barely afford to care for her daughter. When Devon Carrington asks her to pick out lottery numbers, she laughs in his face. She is a true believer that no one really wins these games. But what happens a few weeks later when those numbers are played again and they do win?

When Wren Morrow wins a sweepstakes for a walk-on role in her favorite actor’s new movie, she’s elated. Recent film school graduate Trey Lozano has left his troubled past behind him and landed a job as the second assistant director on a new movie, where he’s assigned to direct Wren’s big screen moment. Will a simple fade to black role fade into love, instead?

Needing money, Cynthia Munn accepts Sean Beckett’s proposition to accompany him to his sister’s wedding in Vegas. To get into a high-stakes honeymooner’s game, they get married and win big – until Cyn loses everything in a risky game behind Sean’s back. She discovers that losing her heart to the one man she didn’t want to give it to – and then losing him – is the highest stake of all.

Baby, Maybe by Lyssa Layne, National and International Bestselling Author

On the outside, Julie and Shawn have the perfect marriage–all they need is a child to complete their family. When fate is found taped to their door, will their family finally become whole?

When professional poker player Matthew Shaughnessy wins the pot of a lifetime, he didn’t expect to land himself a fiancée. Cassandra Gardener is left with little choice but to play the part of a Texan’s fiancée for a week if she wants to clear her father’s gambling debt. Can two people with so much to lose win the biggest bet of all- love?

Big city lawyer, Tucker Williams, returns to his roots to help out his family. Small town living is no longer his style, but a run in with former flame, Hadley James, has him reconsidering. When a chance wager winds Tucker up for auction to the highest bidder, Hadley will have to decide if she’s ready to toss in her cards and go all in.

Shy, retiring Carissa takes a chance on a hot tip at the races. (Thanks Grandpa!) When she collides with Joseph her luck changes again…but she’s too anxious to enjoy it. Joseph thinks she’s adorable and he’s finally met the woman he can have a life with. Carissa thinks she can trust him when an overheard conversation ruins what they have.

Marie Vargas thought her love with Phil Casteen would last forever, but she was wrong. Unhappily divorced, she wins a $1,000,000 lottery and takes a trip to Key West, where Phil has made a new life for himself—a life that would be better if he had her money.

Lizette Monroe agrees to her twin’s plea to switch places after she wins a sweepstakes to Paris. France, here she comes! Except it’s a small town in Tennessee, and Lizette runs into none other than Dirk Ramsey, her twin’s best friend from middle school. Let the complications begin as romantic feelings develop for the twin Dirk once pegged as snobby.

Everything changes when a run of good luck leaves Gracie in a position she never imagined. Freed of the rat race, she is finally able to contemplate her identity, and her dreams. Is she ready to move on? Will her newfound fortune pave the road to happiness? Or will wealth leave her poorer than ever before?

Love in the World of Make Believe by Janis Susan May, International Bestselling Author

Delighted to win a role on her favorite TV series and meet the star Brick Daniels, Edith Whiting discovers he is not a nice man. She is kept from humiliation by the second lead, Lupo deGermain. Fearsomely scarred and extremely private, Lupo finds himself falling for Edith, but can he reveal his feelings when he carries so many secrets?

Ashlee Branton’s stroke of luck is giving her and her son a new, settled life back home. Except that returning to Blaine Washington means facing her son’s father, Brick Harcourt, in a most unsettling way. Ashlee has two pasts now, one with Brick and one with an ex who wants to crash their reunion. Will she run again or stay and sacrifice money for love?

Dealing blackjack at the Tom Tom Casino isn’t Maddie Larsson’s dream job but she needs to cover a looming college tuition bill. Busted takes on a new meaning when her favorite customer, a former Poker World Tour champion, is murdered. Maddie better prove she isn’t a gold-digging murderer before the real killer cashes in her chips.

After suffering five years of abuse at the hands of her deceased husband, Tiffany Reynolds wants to reclaim the life she thought was gone forever. Every step forward becomes a stumble backward when danger threatens her life, and even God seems not to care.

Guilt-ridden, Luke Johnson, a private investigator, is driven to solve the murder of his sister. Following up on a lead, Luke crosses paths with Tiffany. His need for answers and retribution soon clash with his growing love for the fragile widow.

Joining forces is their only option if they hope to survive the minefield surrounding them. When Luke’s life is threatened, Tiffany makes a decision that could cost her everything.

Will Luke understand and forgive, or will he choose to walk out of her life?

Humph! What the . . .?

Hands curled around her shoulders holding her steady. “Happy to see me?”

“What? No.” Do I know this guy?

“Plop, fizz – that’s the sound of my ego deflating.”

She wrenched free and backed away, wrapping her arms around her waist.

He held his hands up where she could see them. “Sorry. A pretty girl like you bumps into a guy like me, it makes me think my luck is changing.”

His voice, so deep and warm, wriggled past her defenses and eased the tension in her muscles. Who wouldn’t trust that voice? She looked up into eyes such a deep blue they reminded her of the sky before a storm. The broad-shouldered man stood half a foot taller than her. She should feel threatened. But she didn’t. Instead she felt something she’d never felt before.

Breathless. Hot. Mindless.

Her mouth opened, her lips moved, but no sound came out.

He frowned, and she froze.

Surely I’m safe in this crowd. Just in case, hold completely still and maybe he’ll go away.

“Easy.”

“I’m sorry.” Please, please, please, don’t hurt me.

“I’m the one who should apologize.”

Okay, he’s not angry. He’s concerned. Is that any better? The phone jammed in her pocket suddenly buzzed against her hip. She pulled it out and answered. “Julie? Where are you guys?”

“Are you okay? I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon.”

“I’m so sorry. I was at the salon and my phone was in my purse, so I never heard it ring.”

“Our celebration is going to have to wait. I have to work another shift at the hospital. Meg’s car wouldn’t start, and after that, Deb said we should cancel.”

Tiffany clamped her lips tight to keep the whimper of disappointment from escaping. Julie was distressed, and she couldn’t add to that. “I understand.”

“Honey, I’m so sorry. I know you were looking forward to this. But I promise we’ll reschedule real soon.”

“Okay, talk to you later.” She disconnected the call and put the phone back in her pocket.

“Bad news?”

“No, not really,” she murmured even as she wanted to stamp her foot in aggravation. It wasn’t bad news in a general sense. No one was hurt or dying. But disappointment was a hard pill to swallow.

“It sounds pretty bad. Can I help?” He offered her a kind smile.

Why are you so concerned? “Oh, no, but thanks for the offer. I was supposed to meet some friends here, but they canceled.”

“What a lucky coincidence, so did mine.”

“Oh.”

“I have a solution.”

“You do?” It wasn’t hard to guess what would come next. He’d ask her to join him and she would politely decline. He was a perfect gentleman now, but what would he do later?

Alex Carpenter’s life is shattered when his friend and partner is gunned down. With his confidence shaken, he turns in his badge and gun and accepts an offer to build a church in the Congo, hoping for time alone to heal.

Molly Quinn is on a mission to save souls and heal bodies. Nothing is too difficult for her to handle until a police officer from Kikwit demands she come to his city to identify a body that turns out to be her friend and a fellow American.

Alex realizes her friend was murdered, and Molly begs him to help her find the killer. Drawn into a bloody web of intrigue and deception, Alex and Molly must work together to stay alive and one step ahead of a murderer.

Can she convince Alex to put his trust and their lives in God’s hands?

Suzanne Pearson was born in the Congo to missionary parents. After graduating from high school she flew back to America by herself and settled in Eugene, Oregon where she met her husband. She didn’t start writing until she was an empty-nester. Calling on her experiences as a missionary kid and later life in America, she began writing about the adventures and troubles that come unexpectedly into life.

Magic Matched tells the story of Silviu Lovasz and Georgeanne Davenold, two witches with a power only told of in myth. In witching society, there is a strict hierarchy. Family covens are ruled by Mothers or Fathers who hold the bulk of their bloodline’s power and archaic rules are enforced, disregarding modern sentiments. Magic and politics are the only things that matter, and marriages are arranged for advantage rather than love.

Silviu and Georgeanne have been betrothed since the moment of Georgie’s birth. When Silviu’s father learned a baby was to be born under the Bane moon, he reached across the Schism dividing the covens into matriarchal and patriarchal houses to the Davenold Mother, with a bold scheme to place their children at the top of the witching hierarchy. With Silviu wielding the enhanced talents of a Reap witch, he is the perfect match to Georgie, an abomination without magic who should have been killed at birth because of her defects. The only way to protect themselves against those who fear them enough to kill them, is to take a position of leadership.

Silviu and Georgeanne must learn to open their hearts to each other in order to unlock their full magical potential. But with all that stands in their way—archaic traditions, murder plots, and a betrayal that threatens all they can be—they will need the group of allies they have built to help them navigate the dangerous world of witches, and the dark magic stalking them every step of the way.

“That’s right, Georgie. I was born in the Reap, the balance to your Bane, your Match in every fucking way. My father made sure of it and, later, so did Madeleine. I’ve had a much better education than my brother could ever dream, with the tutors she sent.”

“Good for you. She did it for herself, though, Silviu. For the Davenolds, not the Lovaszes.”

He shook his head, his voice lowering until it was a breath against the darkness. “She did it for you, because she believed, like my father, that the magic would pass on, making your line stronger.”

“Bullshit. She doesn’t believe any such thing. She wants magically powerful great-grandchildren and your father was willing to sell your sperm to the matriarchs.”

He didn’t try to hide his anger. “You’re right, and Madeleine will have my strong magic in her bloodline. Your children, our children, will be stronger than any witch in a hundred generations, your magic and mine combined into theirs.”

“You mean child.”

“We’ll have more than one, as only Matches can.”

“Don’t bank on it.”

He saw the stubborn disbelief in her eyes, the spark of frustration, and tamped down his own. He changed tactics and switched topics, not giving her a chance to argue further. “Do you ever think about the night I first put my hands on you?”

She froze, stopped breathing. She shook her head as her eyes flew wide. Silviu smiled and stepped closer, ever closer, until there was only enough room for their bodies’ heat to pass between them. He set his hand at her waist and sent it sliding up, following the line of her torso to her ribcage.

“You do,” he whispered wickedly. “You remember how it felt, when I ran my hands over your bare body, when I ran my thumb over your perfect little nipple.”

“Stop it. This is inappropriate at a Levy Family function.”

Her voice was too breathless to heed. He curled his fingers over her breast, craving shooting through him when he felt her nipple pebble under his touch. Her breath faltered, turning ragged, her pulse hammering in her slender throat.

“Do you remember when I put my mouth on you and kissed my way down, finally tasting your first flood of passion. How sweet you were, all innocent and fresh, lifting for me with a need you didn’t even bother to hide.”

“Silviu.”

He squeezed her nipple lightly as he licked across her lips, nearly giving in when her mouth opened for him. Instead, he ruthlessly held onto his lust and drew back, leaving her aching, needing. He hoped as needy as him.

Slowly, he moved away from her, gathering his control around him. “I think you’ll taste like that again, Georgie.”

In witching society, magic and politics are the only things that matter, and marriages are arranged for advantage rather than love.

Tulah Ngozi doesn’t want to go home, but she’s being forced to attend the wedding of the man who killed her father years ago. The Ngozi men are determined to use her in their plots against each other, but she takes her future into her own hands when she learns that Adam Davenold will also be in attendance. Adam is a powerful man in a matriarchal Family, used to being seduced by women looking to gain power. He’s good at guarding his heart—until he meets Tulah.

Diplomacy demands that the Davenolds attend the wedding and, in the company of their Matriarch, Adam and Georgeanne travel to the Ngozi residence, where they become embroiled in a frightening power struggle. Georgeanne is grateful for the unexpected presence of her betrothed, Silviu, who arrives uninvited after he learns she will be there. When the groom proves disturbing and the Davenold Mother falls to a suspicious illness, Silviu’s magic is the only thing Georgie can depend on for support.

In witching society, magic and politics are the only things that matter, and marriages are arranged for advantage rather than love. But more than politics is at stake in a minefield of lies and betrayal. Death and dark magic stalk the Ngozi–Levy wedding, and only Silviu and Georgeanne’s Matched magic has a chance of getting everyone out alive.

Ileana reached for the door.

Red light oozed from the jamb, flying out from the metal but slowing dramatically on its collision course with Ileana’s arm. Silver spiked into existence, the power of Ileana’s personal magic all but eradicating the spell guarding the exits. The two tones surged against each other, but the silver won out and chased the red back into hiding.

Georgie turned wide eyes on her sister-in-law. “What did that feel like?”

“Awful, but I think I could make it through with a running start.” Ileana turned to Georgie and wiped a shaky hand over her sweaty brow. “I take it you have more in common with me and my brother than I first realized?”

Georgeanne saw magic because it couldn’t be used against her, but Silviu, and apparently Ileana, saw magic because they could influence it. Georgie’s secret couldn’t be held much longer, but that didn’t mean she had to go into explicit explanations. “Close enough. You’re a strong witch, Iley. It reacts with greater force to lesser magic.”

“Almost like an enhancement.” Ileana humphed and let the door close. “Your turn. In Poland, when that knife was magicked at your head, it hit some kind of force field and slid off without any harm.”

“My life is not a science-fiction movie.” Georgie rolled her eyes. “It’s not a force field.”

“What is it, then?”

“Adam calls it Bane imperviousness.”

“How did you lose your magic?” Tulah broke her silence and Georgie shifted to study her. The color in her cheeks had returned, she was steady on her feet and the faint indigo swirl surrounding her body had settled down.

“I’m not Bane-made.” Georgie watched Tulah’s reaction very closely. “I was born under a Bane moon.”

“You’ve never had magic?”

Georgie shrugged. “I can’t use magic and magic can’t be used against me.”

Tulah’s eyes flashed with pity a moment before she went still. She’d never make a good politician, unless that indigo magic she used gave her an advantage that Georgie couldn’t detect.

Georgie studied the woman for another few moments, wondering. Vague suspicions and soft doubts stole through her mind, but before she could organize them, indigo flickers began to whirl around Tulah’s body. Georgie turned toward the door, leaving her questions unvoiced. She didn’t know whose ears were listening.

In one swift move, Georgie pulled open the door and stepped outside. A sheen of red flashed, there and gone as she passed through. A humming pressure coasted along her shoulders, her vision wavered for a fraction of an instant, then it all stopped. Georgie stood on the front porch, surveying the door from a new angle.

In witching society, magic and politics are the only things that matter, and marriages are arranged for advantage rather than love.

Christiana Davenold doesn’t want to be Mother, but her husband is pushing for her to be named heir. Milo just wants to protect his wife, and he believes the position of leadership would keep her, and their unborn child, safe from the challenges of her cousins.

But Mother Madeleine refuses to name a successor.

As the Davenolds gather in the hopes that they can heal their Mother from the dark magic attack that has left her weak and near death, Silviu Lovasz and Georgeanne Davenold find themselves at a turning point neither could have expected. Troublesome Family members, secret alliances and the unexpected arrival of Father Daniel Levy cause an emotional upheaval that will test them both.

Only love can see them through the danger, but in witching society, magic and politics are all that matter. The connection they’ve managed to forge will be tested as suspicion grows and trust is broken by the ultimate betrayal.

“Georgeanne!” A deep voice immediately recognizable as her father came to them. “At least fifteen people saw you come in here with Silviu Lovasz. Open this door at once!”

The situation was regrettably similar to what had happened ten years ago. Georgie’s father had found them naked and entangled when they were teenagers, and had helped keep the betrothed pair apart for a decade. Gritting his teeth against the agony searing his mind and body, Silviu reluctantly stepped back, knowing the moment had passed and he’d lost his chance.

He fought to keep from sending his magic winging through the door to kill Georgie’s parents where they stood.

Georgie slid off the desk to stand on shaky legs and smoothed her hair. Silviu stuffed his stiff cock back into his pants with a grimace. Awkwardly, he forced his throbbing body to bend and snatch her panties from the floor.

“That was too close,” she hissed. “That can’t happen again.”

“It will,” he promised her. “I want you, I need you, and you are mine. The next time I get my hands on you, and that will be no later than the end of this day, I will fuck you breathless. To the point you won’t even be able to scream your pleasure.”

“Georgeanne!” her father yelled.

“One minute,” she called back. She spun on Silviu with a heated look that had nothing to do with lust. “I will say when, do you understand me? When I have permission, I will share my body completely, but until my grandmother approves, I won’t risk everything I’ve worked for just because you make me come.”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her how wrong she was. He didn’t have the words to explain how they’d both been used and betrayed by the people who’d sworn to love them and protect them at all costs. Silviu couldn’t bear to tell her that neither of them would find any help in achieving the goals their Families had given them. It was up to them to forge a new path through a dangerous minefield of intrigue and manipulation.

So he stepped close and shoved his hand under her skirt. With unerring accuracy, he found her entrance and pushed two fingers deep inside. Hot, scalding, a promise of heaven and everything Silviu had ever hoped to achieve in life. Ignoring the insistent pounding on the door, he filled her with his fingers as she went to her toes and clutched his shoulders.

“I will have you, Georgeanne. This is between us and no longer involves anyone else. They can’t keep me from you ever again. I won’t let them.”

He pulled his fingers from her body without regard for the way she staggered back on trembling legs. He didn’t dare hold on to her any longer. He licked the taste of her from his knuckles even as he opened the door and caught her father’s gaze.

“She’s mine,” Silviu snarled in the other man’s face. “This time, there’s nothing you can do to stop me from claiming her.”

In witching society, magic and politics are the only things that matter, and marriages are arranged for advantage rather than love.

The Council of Covens has been called to session, and the fate of the witching world hangs in the balance. So does Bijoux Laurent’s future. The sheltered witch is scheming to make Costel Lovasz admit how much he loves her. He has denied his feelings for years, but now Costel’s being sent on a mission of seduction to gain her allegiance because his brother needs Bijoux’s telepathic talents.

Silviu and Georgeanne Lovasz-Davenold need every ally they can get when the dark magic witch they’ve been hunting makes a bold move. The odds are against them, especially with lies, betrayal and distrust keeping Silviu and Georgie’s Matched magic unstable. To have any hope of success, the couple must open their hearts to each other, but that level of forgiveness and compromise may not be possible between the two witches from opposing sides of the matriarchal-patriarchal divide.

In a society where magic and politics are all that matter, only love can unlock Silviu and Georgie’s full potential and win them sovereignty over all.

“Your father was wrong! Vasile read some fucking fairy tales and figured they were as good as real life.”

“He’s been right—”

“He’s been half-right,” she argued. Georgie took a step back and rubbed her temples. “We can’t depend on legends alone, Silviu. We have to face facts.”

“My father believed you would be an extremely powerful witch. He believed that all your magic is locked inside you, hidden by your Bane shield, but that my magic held the key.”

“It’s the other way around,” she whispered.

“No. Magic Matches take the heft of the stronger witch. You access my magic, but I can’t access yours. That means you’re more powerful than I am, and we just have to unlock what you have, stabilize it and learn to use it.”

“I have no magic for you to access.” She held up a hand to forestall his argument. “Whatever I am, Silviu, and whatever we can be together, it’s not what your father expected.”

He stared at her for a long minute, the silver hue of his eyes darkening, his lips pulling straight. Just when Georgie was about to simply leave him to his thoughts and find a quiet place to organize her own, he moved. Silviu was lightning quick when he wanted to be, and she didn’t have a chance to register his actions before he’d caught her in an unbreakable embrace.

“My love.” His breath feathered over her ear and made her knees melt. “We’ll figure out what we can do, but only when this wall of doubt between us comes down.”

Not giving her a chance to reply, Silviu captured Georgeanne’s mouth with his own. He dominated and conquered, letting the full force of his authority bear down on hers. Reacting without thought, she fought back with slick thrusts and wet parries, doing her best to combat his patriarchal arrogance with her own feminine pride.

But the kiss dragged her under his spell—a different kind of magic. The enchantments of want, need and desire fed into the alchemy of the schoolgirl’s crush and became the woman’s greatest pleasure. The magic of sensuality between two lovers who fit each other in every way had the room spinning, swirling with gold, controlled without effort.

Silviu broke their kiss, but his lips moved against hers as he said, “I’ll teach you to trust me again, Georgeanne, the same way I taught you before—with pleasure, patience and love.”

An extensive traveler who loves to incorporate various legends from around the world into her tales, author Lola White likes to twist reality at its edges in her stories. She likes delving into the emotions of her characters, finding their strengths and weaknesses, and seeing (and showing) how they get themselves out of whatever trouble has found them—if they can.

Jackson Hahn, Virginia Beach’s local historian, has his eyes on the mysterious new woman in town. When she enters his office, he is struck by her haunting beauty and the raw pain in her eyes. Her descriptions of the odd events happening in her bungalow pique his curiosity.

Chloe Hicks’ life consisted of an egocentric ex-husband, a pile of bills, and an equine business in foreclosure until a fire destroys the stable and her beloved ranch horse. What little hope she has left is smashed after the marshal suspects arson. She escapes the accusing eyes of her hometown, but not the memories and melancholy.

The sexy historian distracts Chloe with the legend of a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft. She is drawn to the story and the similarities of events that plagued their lives. Perhaps the past can help heal the present. But danger lurks in the shadows…

Chapter 1

January, 2006

Four Seasons Riding Stable

Chloe sat straight up, willing the fog in her head to dissipate. The bed sheets were twisted around her ankles. Sweat trickled down her back. The terror froze her limbs while she struggled to calm her thudding heart and listen for the sound all horse owners dread. But it was the smell that made her realize this was not a terrible dream.

Smoke.

Instinct took over and she scrambled from the four-poster, making a beeline for the back door and the barn. Her toe smacked against the corner of a wall as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Oh god, not my babies. Not Bunny. Panic weighed down her legs as her bare feet hit the gravel. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. She tried to run down the long driveway, her eyes riveted to the red-orange flames shooting up into the black sky. Paul emerged from the darkness, his face colored yellow from the fiery glow. He signaled for her to take the front of the building as he disappeared around the back.

The frigid night air slapped her awake, but a horrifying screech from a panicked horse kicked in her adrenaline. Chloe reached the big, sliding doors and tugged them open. Heat smacked her face, and the smoke assaulted her lungs. Coughing, tears running down her cheeks, she slid back the bolts and opened the stall doors. On the other side, Paul’s voice faintly reached her over the crackle that filled her ears.

“Hiya! Move it, move it.”

The fire had consumed the other half of the barn where the arena was located. Above her was the loft, filled with winter hay and the last of her savings, now adding fuel to the already intense blaze. She pushed the thought from her mind as the flames shot through the center of the alleyway and the arena caved in.

Grabbing one of the lead ropes that hung at each door, she smacked the first horse on the rump and sent him flying out of the barn. The first three horses on each side followed their stable mates into safety with little persuasion. But Duchess, her mother’s old mare, wouldn’t budge. Chloe threw the lead rope over her neck and forced a calm tone. “Easy, girl. That’s my girl. Walk on, now. Walk on.”

The old horse snorted and pranced but followed her out of the stall. When they neared the opening, she withdrew the rope and whacked Duchess’ hindquarters. With a leap, the horse disappeared into the gray haze. The acrid odor of scorched hair and burnt wood filled her nostrils. Embers popped and her cheek blistered. She wiped at it with her shoulder as she led two more horses out by hand.

Crack!

Above them, a beam gave way and formed a fiery V. The horses must have sensed it also because they lunged ahead, snapping Chloe’s shoulders forward. She struggled to maintain her balance but fell to the matted floor, her knees striking the hard rubber. A boom behind her sent a spray of sparks, and pain shot along her backside. From the corner of her eye, she saw a strand of her hair spark. Frantically, she beat at it with her bare hand, putting it out on her neck. The heat was sweltering now. Images wavered in the flames that licked at the dry timbers of the remaining stalls and the heavy beams above.

Scrambling to her feet, Chloe ran outside into the frigid night and stumbled down the drive to help Paul. As she reached the other side of the barn, she doubled over as a coughing spasm racked her body. Hands on her knees, gasping to pull air into her tight chest, she heard Paul yelling over the crackle and whinnies.

“Bunny won’t leave the stall, and won’t let me near her foal.”

“What about Jack?”

“He’s good. C’mon, the roof is gonna give.”

His hand tightened around her arm and pulled with such force her feet almost left the ground. Plunging back into the smoking hell, they entered Bunny’s stall and found the foal in the corner.

“Paul, I’ll get the foal then Bunny will follow.”

Another loud snap from above. She grabbed the lead rope dangling from the horse’s halter and handed it to the trainer. Running a palm down her mare’s neck, she spoke soothingly, “Atta girl, Bunny. There’s my girl. Let’s your get your baby out of here.” The mare’s ears perked at her voice and words. Chloe tossed a rope around the foal’s neck and pulled. The baby gave to the pressure and followed Chloe out.

Behind her, a loud, splintering crash was followed by a shrill squeal. Her stomach twisted as she turned to see her trainer pulling at the lead rope. A fiery beam pinned Bunny as she thrashed, her legs flying in the air. One hoof caught the man in the head, and he crumpled to the ground.

Fighting for air, her chest a tight ball of agony, Chloe stumbled back in and grabbed Paul under his arms. She dragged him with the last of her strength and shuffled backwards until her feet tripped on something solid. She fell, his body tangled in her legs as they both landed with a thud. A sob ripped at her raw throat at the sound of a muffled shriek. Tears spilled down her burning cheeks as she shook the lifeless body on top of her. Chloe collapsed hand rested on Paul’s chest, finding hope in the slight rise and fall of his shallow breathing. In the back of her brain, the sound of sirens wailed before the world went black.

Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trail riding and all things Christmas.

Her short stories, Merry Christmas, Henry and Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies have won Readers Choice Awards and Dante’s Gift received the 2016 Golden Quill and Heart of Excellence award, as well as being a Maggie and Aspen Gold finalist.

Besides her Chicago Christmas novellas, Aubrey will release “A Vintage Romance” series inspired by tales of her stepfather, who served for the British Air Force in WWII. The stories will be set in the 40s & 50s. Her medieval fantasy series will launch in 2017 with Rolf’s Quest.

Subscribe to Aubrey’s newsletter for new releases and exclusive excerpts and free stories.

A place of handsome knights, dashing gentlemen, beautiful, sassy women, and romance from the past to the present. You’ll also have some opportunities to help promote Aubrey with her upcoming releases if you feel so inclined. There is fun to be had, prizes to be given, and heroes and heroines to fall in love with. Come join Aubrey’s street team.

A bond forms when all they have is each other and a fight for survival on their hands.

Their story is one of friendship, danger, secrets and terrifying truths. For the first time ever, the Masterpiece Trilogy is bundled up in one boxed set. A Masterpiece Of Our Love, A Masterpiece Unraveled, and A Forever Masterpiece are full of twists, turns, suspense, and a love like no other.

Also included in this set is a new, never before published prequel.

A MASTERPIECE OF OUR LOVE

Hunter followed Becca inside, taking in the sights of her living space. The walls were a plain dull white, but Becca had filled them up with painting after painting, many of which he’d never seen before. Right by the patio door sat a large easel. A beige sectional took up a good amount of space in the living room. “It’s so homey. Very you.” he said, continuing to look around. Why had he never come to see her home before?

“All these paintings… You know I’m going to have to ask again. Why are you not selling these in a gallery somewhere?”

“Well of course.” He pulled her closer, sliding his arms around her waist. “You just wait. You’ll meet people that are going to bow down to your talent. Don’t be surprised if you have a few offers. Then when you’re world famous, I can say with pride that I knew you back when. That I love the most amazing, talented artist on this planet.”

Her eyelashes fluttered and she looked down for a second, then flashed her gaze back to him. “Say that again,” she whispered.

“What? That I knew you back when?” His lips curved up in a grin. He knew exactly what she meant, but had to mess with her anyway.

A MASTERPIECE UNRAVELED

“Becca? What’s going on out here?” Hunter ran down the sidewalk toward them.

“This woman nearly knocked me over and when I try to help, she goes psycho on me as if I’m trying to hurt her. I didn’t do anything to her, man.” The guy took a few steps back.

Hunter knelt beside Becca, checking her over.

“Did he try to hurt you?”

“I didn’t-” the guy started.

Fresh tears in her eyes, Becca shook her head. “I don’t know. I did bump into him, and when he grabbed me I got scared.”

“Come on angel, let’s get inside then.” Hunter held out his hand and helped get her on her feet.

“Crazies always come out at night. If your girl can’t handle the dark don’t let her out of your sight,” the guy snarled, taking off.

She’d done it again. Panicked when nothing was going on. Practically attacked a guy most likely just trying to help, especially when she was the one who ran into him.

Hunter slid an arm around her shoulders. She limped away, her knee throbbing from hitting the ground. Before they went back inside, he stopped her on the patio by touching her shoulders, keeping her in place. “This isn’t good, Bec. You can’t-“

She stepped away from him. “I know. I can’t keep doing that. You think I don’t know this! I don’t want to be jumping all over everyone when they’re innocent bystanders! I hate losing my mind! I’m afraid I’m going to hurt somebody because I can’t stop thinking someone’s going to come after me again! I heard voices, talking about scaring someone. Part of me thought they were talking about me. Is that what you want to know? I’m paranoid. There, I said it.”

Becca left Hunter standing there in shock as she bolted back indoors.

A FOREVER MASTERPIECE

Needing to lighten the mood before his heart broke even more, Hunter took Becca’s hands in his. He gave her a light, mischievous smile. “You know, I never did get to bring a girl in my room to kiss her.” Not at twelve. He hadn’t been interested in girls that way, really. Not yet.

Had Becca been in his room when his parents brought her home? Did they bring her here, even for a while? They had to have before bringing her to the Langes. Hunter tried to picture what baby Becca looked like. Had he been curious about a tiny baby all of a sudden in the house? Did they try to keep her hidden, even from their four year old son? So many questions, and not enough answers.

“So what you’re saying is you wanted to take an innocent girl up to your room and seduce her,” Becca said coyly, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “I don’t know. I’m not that kind of girl. You’ll have to really work your way to get a kiss from me.”

Hunter chuckled, loving that she played along. He pulled her closer, sliding his arms around her waist. “Hard to get, eh? I think I can win you over. I’ve got the skills.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Oh? This I need to see.”

He leaned over and kissed her neck, trailing all the way to her jaw. “You know you want to kiss me. I’m one of your painting inspirations.” He blew air on the nape of her neck. Her fingers dug into his back. “Come on, give a man his wish. Do I have to beg?”

No matter where she goes, USA Today Bestselling author Nikki Lynn Barrett hears voices in her head. Instead of calling her crazy and locking her up, her family realizes it’s just a product of being an author and allows her to write the stories so that the voices shut up.

But they don’t. And probably never will. There’s no need to lock her up, Nikki knows she’ll never escape the voices, not until each and every last story is written. And for every story she writes, about ten or more ideas pop up.

When she isn’t slaving away at her computer writing books that will probably make you cry and keep you in suspense, Nikki plots to take over the world one book at a time. What? It’s a sickness. One she can’t escape!

Books aren’t her only addiction, though. Nikki can be found making up parodies to drive her son crazy, and bantering back and forth with her husband, who somehow manages to steal her away from the fictional world she lives in all the time.

Nikki lives in Arizona with her husband and son, where she can be found using every creativity outlet she can find through music, photography, handcrafted things, and random interests that she may pick up from time to time.

If you want to learn more about the author who makes people cry for a living, check out her website.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who stopped believing in fairy tales after her innocence was stolen.

Morgan Myers is tired. So damn tired. Most people either push her around or brush her off, and she’s not putting up with it anymore. Determined to reclaim the life that had been stolen from her, she puts her trust in the last person she ever expected to: the notorious they call Scar. Morgan sees a side of him that few people seem to know—the man, not the myth. Lorenzo. And what she sees, she likes, a lot more than she thought she would.

But fairy tales aren’t real, as life likes to remind her. Some dragons, you just can’t slay, no matter how hard you fight them. And when hers comes back around, breathing fire, she’s forced to face some unimaginable horrors. But there’s a white knight in combat boots out there that isn’t afraid of monsters.

You see, it’s impossible to be afraid of something you see every day in the mirror.

Review:

After leaving the first book on a cliffhanger, knowing J.M. Darhower was reeasing Grievous a short while after was a relief.

Diving straight in, knowing I was going to get the answers to the questions I was left with, I devoured each and every word in the matter of a day.

While I loved the characters in the first book, I loved the MORE in this one. Morgan, while breaking, is still as strong and quick mouthed as ever. Despite the one thing she wants, she’s not blinkered in her fight to get what is hers back.

And Lorenzo… well. He’s still foul mouthed, quick to anger, but he has a soft side. But, don’t cross him because let’s face it. He’s a bit batshit…

Grievous is as, if not more, fast paced as Menace. The action never slowing or losing momentum keeps the reader turning the page, needing to know how everything’s going to play out in the end.

There are certain characters I wanted to see hurt, and other I wanted to see get their HEA. It doesn’t happen that way for everyone (Sorry Three), but nothing ever came across as forced or as a thrown in plot point.

SWEET VENOM is a crazy in love novel set in three point of views – crazy, crazier and craziest. This is a love triangle that is not made for those looking for an easy love story or an obvious end.
If I were you, I’d be careful who you fall for.

This is STANDALONE.
Meant for mature readers due to murder, violence and sex.

Author, graphic designer, book worm, peppermint tea obsessive.

Kirsty-Anne stumbled across her love for writing as she started university. Over the last couple of years she’s found the style of writing that best defines her and her work. Her favourite genres to write are romantic suspense with dark themes, but loves to push her boundaries.